Take a look outside the windows into the backyard. If all you see is a manicured lawn, growing garden, and well-kept foliage, youre missing out on one key thing: wildlife.Bringing birds, bees, bunnies, and other wildlife into our backyard is a mutual benefit. We create habitats for species that have lost their natural homes, and we have a sanctuary created for them. These creatures can easily thrive near humans if given the right food, fresh water, and protection.

They also benefit us because we do not have to rely on pesticides to keep pests at baythey do it for us.

Make the Space

To create that inviting space, you can have an environment that attracts these wild creatures. Specific shrubs, trees, and flowers attract bees, birds, and butterflies. Logs and stones call for those lizards and other reptiles, as well as bugs. Small ponds create a homestead for toads and frogs.

Attracting Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are beautiful with their bright colours and humming wings. Constantly moving, they have a high metabolism, and need to be constantly eating. They are attracted most to red, nectar-producing flowers, such as honeysuckles, morning glories, petunias, sage, delphiniums, hollyhocks and weigelas. Plant these near your house, in sunny, wind-protected areas, or inside hanging baskets or window boxes.

If you dont have the garden space, attract hummingbirds using a red bird feeder filled with a commercial or homemade nectar mix. Clean it out once a week.

OT add red dye to the solution, hummingbirds are attracted by the red on the hanger itself.

Attracting Small Mammals

From bunnies to bats, to raccoons to deer, creating habitats is a fun project that varies species to species. Here are a few general rules that apply across the board:

  • Use tree-stumps, large, flat rocks, and other elevated areas for feeding stations.
  • Free-standing birdbaths and homemade ponds are great for mammals to stay satiated.
  • Garden with plants that have nuts, berries, seeds, and fruit, and theyll especially love the ones that fall to the ground.
  • Garden sheds and garages are great for winter hibernation.
  • Install an elevated light source to seek out nocturnal mammals.

Attracting Pond Dwellers

Toads, frogs, salamanders, and other pond-loving friends love ponds filled with vegetation such as water lilies, pondweeds, duckweed, cattails, and bladderwort. They also love dry places to sit in the sun, so adding rock piles, tree stumps and rotting logs. An added bonus? Build toad holes with partially filled with sand so toads have a burrowing place during the day. Garden lights will allow you to see them all during the evening.

Any other ideas? Share them below!

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